Chapter 97
He was really happy that day. His friends were getting married and his joy knew no bounds. He had missed so many marriages in his own family, but this one completed the void that he had felt. It was a big day. Not only because of the weddings, but because he truly felt a part of it. There was some joy in being able to give a helping hand when needed, and he had been given a big responsibility - to make sure all the paraphernalia necessary for the weddings was arranged. He felt joy, he felt responsible and more than anything, he felt welcomed in the family.
The weddings and reception were to be held successively in the same hall. A small corner of the large banquet hall was reserved for the weddings, while the reception stage was set up at the other end. He had been running around getting things organized. When the pandit came, he made sure to check with him if all the items needed were there. He had been presented with this one opportunity to make his place in the family, and he made sure he didn't screw it up. But little did he know that his place was already marked in the family.
Keerti knew that her father knew about her and Rohan, given how sly her sister could be, yet she wanted him to ask her about Rohan. Mr. Khanna also knew that Keerti knew that he knew, yet he wanted her to confess it. And thus, the little secret of their relationship was still a secret to others, until one of them spoke.
Like father, like daughter. None of them gave up and then suddenly, they found themselves in this war zone where each wanted the other to speak first. If he and Kanan were having fun, Keerti wouldn't stay behind either. But in all this, the one person that didn't enjoy much was poor Rohan. He was beginning to wonder if accompanying Keerti to India was a good idea. The Khanna's were playing tug of war with him and the sad thing was he couldn't do anything about it.
He was talking to the pandit when she walked in with Kanan, and walked just past him without giving him a look. Perhaps, she had not noticed him, he thought. He was awestruck. She wore a pink saree, had her hair down in loose curls, and adorned herself in just long pink earrings and a delicate bracelet. He didn't know how she could look so gorgeous, yet so simple and elegant. He would have stood there frozen, looking at her if the pandit hadn't asked him a question. He mumbled something and walked away from there, after confirming he won't be needed anymore.
His eyes followed her wherever she went. She seated Kanan on the small stool in front of the holy fire next to Vidhit and went behind to stand next to Simran, who now completely blocked his view. Just as he was about to reposition himself so he could see her, she leaned back just a little bit and raised her eyes to meet with his. He had been wrong earlier...she knew exactly where he was.
With a twinkle in his eyes and a slight smile on his lips, he walked towards her and stood on the opposite site. Today he didn't want to be close to her or touch her. Today he just wanted to take in her beauty and poise. Although there were too many people surrounding the center, he didn't care. His eyes didn't drift from her form. Not during the mangalsutra ceremony, neither during the sindoor ceremony, nor during the pheras. He had completely zoned out and had become oblivious to his surroundings, focusing just on her. At last he saw her smiling, albeit still looking away, but he knew it was for him. He contentedly sighed deeply. He thought he would fall right there in front of everyone.
Finally he heard the pandit say, "Vivah sampann hua." There was a lot of cheering and whooping while the newly wed couple took blessings from all the elders and greeted the younger ones with a hug. They came about and hugged Kanan at the same time, during which his hand accidentally fell on hers. He tightened his grip just for a bit before releasing her hand. He smiled at Kanan and Vidhit, but she knew it was for her. Not all accidents were bad, after all.
While everyone was still busy merry making, they heard the pandit say, "Doosre dulha-dulhan ko bulaiye."
Everyone else showed excitement and smiled, except her. She was clueless, and hence confused. She didn't know two weddings were going to be held. She was so busy looking around to know who the second dulha-dulhan were, that she didn't see Aditya approach the holy fire and stand there, patiently waiting for her. She was startled when she felt a hand rest on her arm. She turned and saw Keerti, who nudged her gently, and then her mouth fell open when she saw Aditya stand there, next to the holy fire. Instead of complying and walking towards him, she stood there frozen as she realized, she was the second dulhan...
P.S. - Keerti's saree :)
Edited by --dolphin-- - 12 years ago
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